Apparatus for heating and separating metals.



J. H. REID. APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND SEPARATING METALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1909.

950,023. Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

Ldnmssssas luusmon in "Y.

nrrnn STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND SEPARATING METALS.

Application filed May 5,

" Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 22, 191 0,

1909. Serial so; 494.025.

To all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES HENRY REID,

of Newark, in the State of New. Jersey,

which the metals of different specific gravities may be separated byrotation of the containing vessel and in which'certain of the metalsmay, during rotation, be subjected to additional heat, electricallyproduced for the purpose of refining the same or-volatilizingundesirable elements therein.-

In an earlier application Serial No. 75,907, filed February 3rd, 1909, Ihave disclosed a process of treating metals with a scorifier, andafterward separating the scorifier therefrom. I have found that if meansare provided to heat the slag in the rotary converter employed in thecompletion of the process, a more efiective result is attained, andcertain elements, such as any lead in the slag, may be volatilized.

While the present apparatus is particularly useful, in connection withthis process, yet, it will be apparent that its use is notlimitedthereto, as it could be used in any case where it is desired to at oncerotate and heat a molten mass of metal or other substances. p

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation partially in section of theapparatus shown in connection with an electric furnace, of a type whichI have invented. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the rotaryconverter. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 22,-Fig. 2.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicat correspondingparts in each fi ure.

Referring ,to' the drawings, A represents an electric furnace of thetype such as that disclosed in my United States Patent'No. 910,581,granted January 26th, 1909.

B represents a vessel rotatable about a vertical axis, this beingaccomplished, in the embodiment illustrated by providing a series ofrollers 10 which run one. track 11 on a truck'C, the said truck alsocarrying an electric motor D, the shaft 12 of which is connected by apinion 13 with an annular this manner, the vessel may be rotated at anydesired rate of speed.

Provision is made for exhausting the surface of the metal in the vessel,and the means which I have illustrated, for accomplishing this, comprisea conducting pipe E, which fits over an outlet pipe 15 on thevessel. Thematerial to be treated is introduced into the interior of the yesselthrough an opening 16 in the sides thereof adapted to be closed by adoor 17 of'suitable construction. In practice, the spout 18 of thefurnace A may be inserted through the opening 16, and then when thevessel B has received a determined charge, it may be withdrawn on theVided with a linin 19 of refractory material, and the interior ispreferably conical and provided with a tap hole 20 at the bottom and asecond tap hole 21 a distance up the side, the second tap hole beingpreferably used for the outlet of slag, while the lower one 20 is forthe withdrawal of the precious metal.

To provide for heating the slag or, in

plurality of electrodes 22 are provided ex tending through the walls ofthe vessel and ,suitably insulated therefrom. a

To supply the electrodes with current dur- 23 and 24 are provided on theexterior of the vessel adapted to be engaged by suitable fixed brushes25 and 26 which are connected to a source of power. suitably. connectedto the rings 23 and 24: so tha opposite electrodes will be connectedtodi erent rings.

In using the apparatus, assuming that it is employed in connection withthe process described in my aforesaid application No. 475,907, themixture of ore and scorifier is passed through the furnace A, and isthen in a molten condition, run, into the vessel B. This is thenwithdrawn from the furnace, and rotated at a predetermined rate ofspeed, and at the same time, the electric current is passed through theelectrodes.

Preferably, the electrodes are so located that they will be above theslag line and from this, it results that during rotation. the passage ofthe current through the slag, will heat the same, and will volatilizethe elements therein, which have a low volatili- 'zation point. Theelements volatilized will fact, of any material within the vessel, a.

ing rotation of the vessel, conducting rings gear 1 1, on the undersideof the vessel. In

truck 0 and rotated. The vessel is pro- 1 The electrodes are bewithdrawn through the conducting and volatilization, the

slag is withdrawn through the tap hole 21,

and finally the metal is withdrawn through the tap hole 20.

,As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently Widely different embodiments of my invention, Within thescope of the claims could be made without departing from the spirit orscope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in thesespecifications and drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is 2* 1. An apparatus for the purposespecified comprising a vessel rotatable about a vertical axis andadapted to retain the entire char e through heating and means forelectrica ly heating the charge in the interior of the vessel duringrotation.

2. An apparatus for the purpose specified,

comprising a vessel rotatable about a vertical axis and having asuitable tap hole in the lower part thereof, means for rotating thevessel and means for exhausting the interior of the vessel duringrotation.

3. An apparatus for the purpose specified, including a rotary vessel andmeans for elec-' trically heating the upper portion only of the chargetherein, during rotation of the vessel.

4. An apparatus for the purpose specified, including a rotaryvesselhaving tap holes at different levels therein, and electrodes extendingthrough the walls of the vessel' above the upper tap hole, and means forsupplyingthe electrodes with current during rotatlon of the vessel.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tWoWitnesses.

JAMES HENRY REID. lVitnesses RUssEL S. SMART, M. GILBERTSON.

